A quick look at the different fields of engineering reveals an almost bewildering array of terms. Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and systems engineering are just a few among a whole host of other terms. At its heart, the definition of “engineering” in general is fairly simple; it’s the process of applying science and mathematics to a particular system or thing.
With such a broad definition, it makes sense that there would be nearly as many different kinds of engineering as there would be systems or things to apply it to.
One incredibly important field of engineering that doesn’t always receive a lot of attention is control engineering. Control engineering doesn’t deal with a particular thing, like computer engineering, or an individual field, like chemical engineering. Instead, control engineering focuses on the particular methods used to control different electrical or mechanical systems.
Examples of control engineering
In the commercial setting, engineering controls can be found in various systems. Electrical systems will feature quite complicated control systems, in some cases featuring redundancies and backups. Ventilation systems are another great example in which control engineering is used to ensure that every aspect of a particular system works smoothly and efficiently.
Those are just two examples; control engineering works with water and waste systems, power supplies, and any number of other mechanical systems. You’ll also find control engineering at work on a much smaller scale, designing safety features on saws and power equipment.
Breaking down control system engineering
How does control engineering work in the real world? You can gain a better appreciation for control systems engineering by breaking down the process into three distinct categories.
Control engineering goals
While it may seem obvious, at its most basic level control system engineering is all about gaining control over a system; that is, about managing a particular system to produce a desired output. Think of a water system. Outfitting a new factory with a steady water supply doesn’t just require running a big pipe from the water main and calling it done. Instead, water needs to be controlled. It needs to go to the right places, in the right amounts, at the right time.
Even simple residential water supplies feature basic controls like emergency shut-off valves. On the industrial level, system controls require far more planning and oversight. That’s where control engineering comes into play.
It’s no coincidence that control system engineering first arose as part of electrical engineering. Like water, electricity requires strict management. Too much power supply can damage machinery and pose a risk to workers, while too little wil see machines shut down and productivity suffer.
In short, the goals of control system engineering are to monitor and manage a given system to produce an intended result. There’s also an element of automation at play – control systems enable a machine to complete a task or produce an intended result without human interference.
Control engineering methods
While control engineering grew out of the broader field of electrical engineering, it’s considered an interdisciplinary field today with applications for many other engineering disciplines. Control engineers employ three primary methods:
- Analysis
Using mathematical models, control engineers analyze various functions of time and frequency necessary for a control system to perform successfully. Successful, control engineering relies heavily on advanced mathematics, including linear algebra, calculus, and differential equations.
- Design
Armed with adequate models and the parameters of the system, control systems engineers can move on to the actual design of the system itself. Control engineering is remarkably versatile, able to handle almost any kind of system. Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) systems are simpler, at least in principle; Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems can be incredibly complex.
- Optimization
Once a system has been analyzed and designed, the final stage is optimization. This stage is ongoing even from the initial models, as engineers tweak designs and refine the controls.
Control engineering benefits
What makes a particular system good or bad depends on the needs of that system. A simple safety switch could be considered an excellent control system on a particular piece of equipment. On a nuclear power site, control systems are immensely complicated and might feature multiple layers of failsafes and redundancies. Both systems demonstrate the importance of proper control engineering.
Conclusion
Control engineering is vital, especially in the electrical field. Understanding the many nuances in the industrial electrical field is exactly what the electricians at Apex Electric, LLC know and practice on a daily basis, making them a practical choice for your industrial electric needs.
